Impromptu in A Minor

The Impromptu form has the characteristic of an improvisation or free form modality. The impromptu was developed during the romantic period and utilized by composers such as Schubert, Chopin, Schumann, Liszt, Scriabin and Sibelius among others. The first reference to impromptu was that of Johann Baptiste Cram in 1815. Due to its improvisational nature the work a “spirit of the moment” composition.

The impromptu in A minor is based on a series of chord progressions with a repetitive 2/4 beat in the bass. A parallel contrapuntal melody in the soprano voice is played over the progressions. A brief interlude with a contrasting melody in contrary motion ushers the return of the primary melody now accompanied by arpeggiated chords in the bass. The secondary melody returns this time over continuing arpeggiated chords in the bass. The piece concludes with a simplified restatement of the basic melody.

The piece was composed from 23 June 2018 through 13 February 2019. The piece received its first performance at the Garret Theological Seminary Chapel in Evanston, Illinois, on September 29, 2019 with the composer at the piano.